Israel’s Ministry of Tourism’s investment in promoting Israel in China has paid dividends, with a 68.6 per cent increase from 2015 to 2016.

The ministry has invested nearly ten million shekels a year, and China’s largest private airline, Hainan, started offering flights to Israel.

The ministry’s data show that 79,268 tourists from China visited the Jewish state in 2016.

The average Chinese visitor is extremely interested in Israeli history and culture from biblical times to the modern high-tech boom. Their preferred destination is Jerusalem, with 81 per cent of Chinese tourists visiting the capital with most making sure to visit the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Despite Jerusalem’s popularity, Israel’s second city still receives a fair amount of Chinese tourists, with 71 per cent visiting Tel Aviv. The Dead Sea sees 56 per cent of the Chinese who come to Israel.

According to the official data, the average Chinese tourist spends considerably more in Israel than the average European, with the former spending about $267 per day versus the latter’s $158.

The most popular baby names in Israel over the past year were Tamar for girls and Mohammad for boys, the two favourites remaining at the top of their lists for the third consecutive year, according to figures released on Sunday by the Interior Ministry.

Tamar and Mohammed top Israel's baby name listThe most popular baby names in Israel over the past year were Tamar for girls and Mohammad for boys, the two favourites remaining at the top of their lists for the third consecutive year, according to figures released on Sunday by the Interior Ministry.

On Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Syrians express gratitude for Israeli field hospitalsDozens of Syrian civilians have written letters of gratitude to Israel and the IDF for establishing field hospitals on its northern border which provided, and continue to provide, medical care to numerous victims wounded in the country's ongoing violent civil war.